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Vikings’ Star O-Lineman Unsure on Status vs Bills
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- Vikings’ Star O-Lineman Unsure on Status vs Bills
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
Carson Wentz will start in place of Kyler Murray (hamstring) this week at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, on Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills. Both teams hold a 6-1 record, but the Bills come in as -3 road favorites.
What happens at quarterback beyond Week 9 is anyone's guess. If Wentz plays well, it will be difficult to replace him with Kyler Murray, who has been one of the worst QBs in the NFL this season, through six starts.
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But Murray might not be the only starter missing on offense for the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. In total, nine Vikings landed on Thursday's injury report , and seven of them were limited in practice.
Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw dealing with a shoulder injury
The most concerning one might be on the far left side of the offensive line. In the Vikings' last loss to the Lions, Christian Darrisaw injured his shoulder.
When he met with reporters at his locker on Thursday, the star offensive lineman didn't seem confident that his shoulder is going to be ready for Monday night's game. The transcript is below but it doesn't do the video justice. It's Darrisaw's body and tone that seem most doubtful.
Doesn't sound encouraging based on this answer from Christian Darrisaw about his shoulder. He was a limited participant in practice yesterday, but seems like that shoulder could be a problem: pic.x.com/1d3YvgMmkz
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) November 6, 2026
Reporter: "Are you pretty sure the shoulder's okay?"
Darrisaw: "We're taking it a day at a time."
Reporter: "Encouraging though, that you were out there today?"
Darrisaw: "Absolutely, absolutely."
Reporter: "Was there some fear immediately after the game Sunday, were you thinking, 'Uh-oh, maybe it could be something severe'?"
Darrisaw: "Never fear. Um, I know I trust this training staff. Um, at the end of the day, it just come down just to being smart and um, just listening to what, what they're saying and and telling 'em, give 'em good feedback on how my body's feeling. And uh, when Monday gets here, we'll, we'll, we'll see."
Related: Insiders Expect Vikings QB Change vs Bills; Future Unclear
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It's the second injury Darrisaw has dealt with this season. He entered concussion protocol after the Dolphins game and missed Week 5 at New Orleans. He has started six games this year.
Christian Darrisaw not sure yet about playing the Bills
It has also been two years since he tore his ACL and MCL in Week 8 of the 2024 season at the Rams. He had surgery two years ago nearly to this day (Nov. 4, 2024). The injury came just three months after he signed a four-year extension worth $77 million guaranteed.
Whoever starts at left tackle will be tasked with protecting Carson Wentz' blindside, where he will work plenty against Greg Rousseau, who leads Buffalo with seven sacks .
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Related: Vikings Sign More O-Line Depth to Practice Squad
If Darrisaw can't go, Ryan Van Demark is the backup left tackle on the Vikings' depth chart . The Vikings' next injury reports will show whether Darrisaw's practice load picks up as we head into the weekend.
